42nd Annual International Tug Boat Race

Saturday, June 23, 1:00 pm

Tug Boats – Start your engines! The normally sedate Detroit River comes alive with roaring diesels and blaring air horns when tug boats of all sizes race for glory and trophies in the 40th annual International Tug Boat Race. The race begins at 1 p.m. at the Ambassador Bridge and runs to the finish line off Windsor’s Dieppe Park. Trophies are awarded to the first tug to finish the race as well as to each tug that finishes first in its horsepower class. It is the most unusual tug race anywhere. As many as 30 tugs of all sizes race in a mad dash for the finish line. Tugs ranging in length from 45 to 140 feet compete at the same time, all muscling for the best position. Some of the larger tugs are actual working tugs with more than 2,000 horsepower. The Detroit River boils as the tugs create a huge wake. The race features tugs from all over the region — from tugs based in Detroit to others that arrive from Lake Huron ports just to participate in this great tradition.